TUCSON, Ariz. - Although, winter weather has started to sweep through Birmingham, baseball season will be here faster than we expect. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper released their 2022 preseason rankings today and slotted the Birmingham-Southern baseball team at No. 7. 

BSC is coming off a stellar 2021 season finishing 28-16 overall, Southern Athletic Association Tournament Champions, and as High Point Regional Runner-Up. The Panthers return four All-SAA players with Cole Steadman, Luke DePiero, Tristan Harvin, and Alfredo Granier. 

In total BSC will return nine players that hit .305 or better over the course of the 2021 season, making for what should be a potent lineup. On the mound the Panthers return starting pitcher Tristan Harvin, who recorded a 2.22 ERA in 10 appearances (eight starts), and a WHIP of 0.99. Also returning on the mound is fellow starting pitcher Ricky Harrison who ranked third on the team in strikeouts with 31 and finished the season with a 1.40 ERA in 11 appearances (six starts).

BSC will play a total of six teams ranked inside the preseason top 40 poll. Those games are listed below:

#17 Washington - St. Louis (Feb. 19)
#21 Trinity University (Texas) (Feb. 19)
#25 Lynchburg (Feb. 20)
#8 Adrian College (Feb. 28)
#11 UW - Whitewater (March 21)
#31 LaGrange (March 23) 

The Panthers start their season on Friday, February 11 as they take on California Lutheran in Demorest, Ga. 

To see the complete preseason poll, click here.